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Shapovalov, a former boss of a government-funded chemical firm, was convicted in his absence of fraud in St Petersburg in August 2015. He was fined £13,000 and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Russian government have been trying to extradite him since he fled to Ballachulish two-and-a-half years ago to avoid jail.

Former spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and daughter Yulia, 33, remain critically ill in hospital two weeks after they were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury, Wiltshire. They had been poisoned with nerve agent Novichok, a type developed by Russia.

And the Metropolitan Police launched a murder investigation on Friday after a pathologist concluded that exiled Moscow businessman Nikolai Glushkov died from compression to the neck, suggesting he was strangled.

Nikolai Glushkov in London, after a post mortem found he died from "compression to the neck" (Image: AFP)

The 68-year-old was found dead in his London apartment, eight days after Skripal and his daughter were found slumped on a bench.

Shapovalov believes a similar fate awaits him if he returns to Russia.

On Friday, speaking outside his home, Shapovalov referred all comments to his legal team. But he confirmed he was fighting extradition and that he was in fear for his life.

He added: “I also applied for political asylum with the Home Office when I arrived in this country. It is two cases, one or another will decide my fate.”

When asked if he was going to fight to stay in Scotland, he added: “Definitely. That is why I ran away, to save my life.”

The first hearing in the extradition case is expected to be on April 12.

His lawyer John Good, of Edinburgh firm Good Stewart, added: “Mr Shapovalov has always resisted the request to return to Russia.

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“These charges are not legitimate charges. They have been concocted by the state to bring him back.

“He steadfastly maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing.

”We believe that this action against our client is politically motivated and he is at risk of torture and inhumane treatment should he be sent to prison.”

The hearing is going ahead – even though Russia has passed a law banning the extradition of their own citizens.

Vladimir Putin has come under pressure for the attack on the spy (Image: Getty)

His job was to turn round the finances of the ailing firm, which supplied products to the army.

He was later charged over allegations of defrauding GIPH and put under house arrest for more than a year before going on trial in August 2015. Fearing for his life, he fled to Scotland before sentencing and was given 10 years.

Nineteen days have been set aside for his hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, which will last through April and May.

It is understood the hearing will go ahead despite the frosty relationships between the UK and Russia.

If a sheriff decides to grant extradition, it will be up to Scottish ministers whether to ratify the decision.

Yulia Skripal is fighting for her life after being poisoned with a mystery nerve agent (Image: AFP)

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Shapovalov, who has a background in banking and finance, is also facing a separate money laundering probe in Scotland. He came under suspicion after buying luxury Ballachulish House, near Fort William, nine years ago and carrying out other high-value cash transactions.

The house was transferred to his estranged wife Galina’s name in 2013. She has returned to Moscow and Shapovalov is living in the village with a new partner and their two children.

Because of the extradition case against him, he has to report to Fort William police station every Monday. It is understood Police Scotland plan to visit him in the next few days to speak to him about his personal security and give advice.

Skripal is a retired colonel in the Russian military intelligence service. He was jailed by Moscow in 2006 for secretly working for Britain’s MI6 but was later released and allowed to come to the UK.

The friend added: “In Russia, if you do not toe the line, it will turn out very bad for you.

“The company Alexander was running became a target for corporate raiders who like to steal businesses and strip them of their assets.

“He says charges were trumped up against him so they could take over the running of the firm.

“Putin’s friends start running all these big companies in Russia and they become very rich. You can get out of the way or fight it and go to prison – then your life is going to be hell for the next 15 years.”

If the extradition is granted, Shapovalov plans to appeal all the way to the Supreme Court in London.

A legal source said: “It’s ultimately up to the justice minister to decide if he is to return. His legal team want to strike while the iron is hot.

“What justice minister could send this man back to Russia with the way things are at the moment?

“Shapovalov hopes the case will be further delayed. No one at the court knows what is going to happen because things are so frosty at the moment.”